, 1887-12-22
A CHASTITY ORIFICE.
Iohn H. Getz Fires a Charge of
BuCksh0t Into His Heart.
Insanity From Alcoholism Causes
Him to Commit Suicide.
Futile Struggles of a Wife to Save
Her Husbands Life.

John Ii. Getz, a German aged So years
committed suicide at his residence on
Themes, between Sixteenth and Seven
teenth streets about $50 o'clock last even
ing by firing a charge of buckshot into
his heart.
The particulars and facts in connection
with the foregoing brief statement contain
the material for a story of the struggles
and privations, viscissitudes and sufferings
of a destitute family which might be en-
larged upon almost indefinitely.
A LEADER reporter who was on the
scene a few minutes after the occurrence
Of the tragedy viewed the warm body of
the unfortunate man who preferred death
by his own hand to a continuance of his
miserable existence and heard a tale of
woe from the lips of the newly made
widow which should appeal to the human
ity of all.
Between her suppressed sobs and vio-
lent outbursts of grief Mrs. Getz said sub
stantially:
MY husband had been drinking and
as is his wont when intoxicated threatened
to commit suicide. l tried in vain to dis
suade him from his tragic purpose and
struggled with him for the possession of
the weapon. | finally was compelled to
yield to his superior strength and suffer
myself to be elected from the room. l
soon forced an entrance to the apartment,
however, and attempted to wrest the
ramrod from him. he struck me with it
and broke the implement. | then retired
to the kitchen. In an instant he rushed
past me, flew to the back yard and pick
ing up a lath returned to the bedroom and
fastened the door. l attempted to force
an entrance, but finding it impossible,
summoned assistance.
"a man called Gus volunteered to aid
me. but was frightened away by my hus-
bands threat to murder him If he did not
desist from interfering, Gus had scarcely
left the door when he succeeded in dis
charging the firearm, with what effect you
can sec for yourself"
The body of the dead man was a CHASTITY
sight. He lay upon his right side curled
as an animal rests. Blood was still flow
ing from a terrible wound in the region of
the heart. The clothing in the vicinity of
the bloody oriice was powder burned,
while portions of the intestines Tapped
over the edges of the bloody hole. Were
his object to produce instant death he had
been successful. The features were pale
and expressionless, gaping mouth and
wide open but dull eyes.
Mrs. Getz informed the reporter that
deceased was an habitual drinker and had
doubtlessly lost his mind in consequence.
Less than a week ago he prepared for de-
parture from life by cutting a circle in his
Undertaking which covered the heart,
and recently threatened 10 murder three
of their six children next Spring. For
the past ten years she has struggled at
frequent intervals to prevent just what oc-
Cured yesterday.
Their children rauge in age from Is
years TO .. The family is entirely desti-
tute and the expenses ofinterrment will be
borne by the county. Mr.. and Mrs. Getz
had been married nearly iwenty-one
years.
While Gctz was an expert machinist.
he had not followed the calling fer some
time, He earned a trifle occasionally by
hunting and selling game, while his vile
supported the family by keeping a res
taurant and washing.
Officer Sullivan summoned Coroner
Chafin, and he ~empannelled as a jury the
gentlemen whose names follow; Il. G.
Thomson, Ed Towse, Fred Belcher, Joe
Rose, w. r. Bryant and John Nolan.
After viewing the remains they adjourned
until 2 o'clock this afternoon.